Inaugural Theravada Studies Conference 2018

Theravada Cultures and Civilizations

March 22, 2018, Marriott Wardman Park Hotel, Washington DC

The study of Theravada Buddhism is undergoing significant reconceptualization in recent years that reflect broader developments in the humanities and social sciences. While seeing Theravada practices no longer as discrete foci of study, Theravada studies as a field ascertains Buddhist formations, practices and sentiments as broadly informed by an imaginaire that is derived in part from a prestige language, Pali, and its literary concerns. Recent work on Theravada Buddhist formations emphasizes comparisons among Theravada iterations, their intersections in world history, social networks and aesthetic formations across regions in South and Southeast Asia, global diasporas and interactions with other religions and cultures.

The conference is organized by the Theravada Studies Group and supported by a grant to the Theravada Civilizations Projectfrom the Henry Luce Foundation’s Asia Program. Logistical support is provided by the Association for Asian Studies and Arizona State University.